Which place is cheaper, Lyon or Coimbra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Coimbra or Lyon?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Coimbra or Lyon? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Coimbra or Lyon?
Coimbra
Coimbra is located in Central Portugal in the Centro Region. It's the third largest city in the country with about 460,000 people living in the entire region. It is also where you'll find the University of Coimbra, which is one of the oldest universities in Europe and the oldest academic institution in the Portuguese speaking world. During the High Middle Ages, Coimbra served as the nation's capital and there are archaeological structures that date back to the Roman era.
Lyon
Lyon, located within the region of Southeastern France, is France's third largest city in terms of population, with just over 500,000 inhabitants. This makes the city large, yet still small and personable enough to be explored properly in a short visit. Known as the gastronomic capital of Europe, your culinary needs are exceptionally well catered to here, and for those with historical and cultural interests, you will never be at a loss for new things to do and see.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Portugal, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Portugal, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCoimbra €103Lyon €125
The average daily cost (per person) in Coimbra is €103, while the average daily cost in Lyon is €125. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Coimbra and Lyon in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCoimbra €44Lyon €53
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCoimbra €88Lyon €106
Compare Hotels in Coimbra and Lyon
Looking for a hotel in Coimbra or Lyon? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Coimbra Hotel Prices and Lyon Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Coimbra €11Lyon €17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Coimbra
Also for Coimbra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Fátima Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $147
- Transfer Viseu - Porto: $157
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lyon
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Lyon:
-
Funiculaire€5.20
-
Hop-on Hop-off Tourist Bus€19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lyon
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lyon:
- Superior Private Transfer From Lyon City to Geneva City: $295
- Private transfer from or to Lyon train stations - Lyon city by car or luxury van: $46
- Private arrival OR departure transfer in Lyon (hotel OR airport pick-up): $177
- Private Transfer: Port of LYON to Lyon Airport LYS in Sedan Car: $97
- Private Transfer: Port of LYON to Lyon Airport LYS in Luxury Van: $103
- Private Transfer: Lyon to Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS): $124
- Private Transfer: Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS in Luxury Van: $103
- Private Transfer: Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS in Business Car: $97
- Private Transfer: Lyon Airport LYS to Lyon City in Business Car: $97
- Private Transfer: (LYS) Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport to Lyon: $124
- Private Transfer between Lyon Satolas Airport and Lyon: $86
- Private Transfer Grenoble Airport GNB - Grenoble Ski Resort: $229
Is it cheaper to fly into Coimbra or Lyon?
Prices for flights to both Lyon and Coimbra change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
-
Food Meals for one dayCoimbra €48Lyon €41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Coimbra
For Coimbra, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Chanfana: Cooking Traditional Portuguese Cuisine Experience: $49
Typical Food Prices in Lyon
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lyon are as follows:
-
Pastry€1.70
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lyon
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lyon.
- Street Food Tour: $64
- Croix-Rousse District Vegan Food Tour with Tastings: $64
- Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $66
- Afternoon Old Town Food tour: $76
- Lyon 2.5-Hour Dinner Cruise: $80
- Cultural Walking Food Tour in the Vieux Lyon District: $86
- Lyon Old Town Half-Day Walking Food Tour with Local Specialties Tasting & Lunch: $93
- Old Town Food Tour: $96
- Guided Food Tour with Tastings and Wine: $102
- Guided Evening Food Tour: $102
- Lyon Evening Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $104
- Food Tour in Lyon - Do Eat Better Experience: $104
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Coimbra €18Lyon €20
Tours and Activities in Coimbra
For Coimbra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $3.21
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $3.21
- Coimbra Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $5.45
- Coimbra's Historical Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Historical Highlights: $6.99
- Tomar: Unveiling the Templar Order with a Self-Guided Tour: $7.62
- Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour: $7.65
- Coimbra Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
- Tomar Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
- Discover Coimbra's Legacy through a Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Portugal dos Pequenitos entry ticket: $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lyon
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lyon are as follows:
-
Lunch for 2€45
Tours and Activities in Lyon
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lyon are as follows:
- 1 or 2-Hour Pedicab tour of Lyon: $27
- 1-hour tourist walk with guide: $38
- Access to a Self-Guided Tour of the archaeological site of Lyon: $8.72
- Access to a Self-Guided Tour to Traboules de Croix-Rousse: $8.72
- Alternative Tour: Murals and Hidden Frescoes of Lyon: $46
- An unusual city tour with sketches: $64
- Audio-Guided Tour of the United States Quarter and Painted Walls: $11
- Audio-guided tour of Old Lyon: $11
- Audio-guided tour of the Fourvière and the Sacred Hill: $11
- Beaujolais & Perouges Medieval Town (9:00 am to 5:15 pm - Small Group Tour Lyon: $136
- Beaujolais Wines & Castles - Private Tour - Half Day: $268
- Best Intro Tour of Lyon with a Local: $141
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayCoimbra €12Lyon €24
Sample the Local Flavors in Coimbra
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Coimbra:
- Wine Tasting Experience in Portugal: $27
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lyon
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Lyon from other travelers:
-
Drinks for 2€6.80
-
Bottle of Wine€15
Sample the Local Flavors in Lyon
Also in Lyon, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Lyon : Music & Wine tasting tour: $96
- Lyon Old Town Food & Wine Tasting Tour including a Bouchon Lyonnais : $98
- Guided tour of Beaujolais by electric bike and wine tasting: $98
- Lyon Music & Wine tasting: $104
- Golden Stones Beaujolais Wine Tasting Trip from Lyon: $106
- Beaujolais: Half-Day Wine Tour: $106
- From Wine tasting and visits of the Beaujolais: $106
- Half-Day Côte-Rotie Wine Tasting Tour: $106
- From Beaujolais Region Wine Tour with Tastings: $106
- Beaujolais Half Day Wine Tasting Tour: $108
- Beaujolais 100% wine tour Small-Group Tour with Tasting from Lyon: $108
- Guided tour and wine tasting Northern Rhône Valley: $108
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Coimbra and Lyon, we can see that Lyon is more expensive. And not only is Coimbra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Coimbra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Coimbra and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Lyon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lyon than you might in Coimbra.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Coimbra Expensive? and Is Lyon Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Coimbra or Lyon?
Lyon has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Coimbra. When comparing the sizes of Coimbra and Lyon, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Coimbra or Lyon?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Coimbra or Lyon in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Coimbra as well as Lyon. Also, many visitors come to Lyon in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Coimbra is generally around the same temperature as Lyon. Daily temperatures in Coimbra average around 23°C (73°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lyon. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Coimbra this time of the year. In the summer, Coimbra often gets more sunshine than Lyon. Coimbra gets 308 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 285 hours of full sun.
Coimbra usually gets less rain in July than Lyon. Coimbra gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyCoimbra 23°C (73°F)Lyon 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Coimbra or Lyon in the Autumn?
Both Lyon and Coimbra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Lyon for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Coimbra is a little warmer than Lyon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Coimbra averages around 18°C (65°F) in October, and Lyon fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).
Coimbra usually receives more sunshine than Lyon during autumn. Coimbra gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Coimbra. In October, Coimbra usually receives more rain than Lyon. Coimbra gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCoimbra 18°C (65°F)Lyon 14°C (56°F)
Should I visit Coimbra or Lyon in the Winter?
Both Lyon and Coimbra during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Lyon because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Lyon can be very cold. In the winter, Coimbra is much warmer than Lyon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Coimbra in January average around 11°C (51°F), and Lyon averages at about 4°C (39°F).
In the winter, Coimbra often gets more sunshine than Lyon. Coimbra gets 124 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 62 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Coimbra. Coimbra usually gets more rain in January than Lyon. Coimbra gets 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCoimbra 11°C (51°F)Lyon 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Coimbra or Lyon in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Coimbra and Lyon. Furthermore, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Lyon this time of year.
In April, Coimbra is generally a little warmer than Lyon. Daily temperatures in Coimbra average around 15°C (59°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).
In Coimbra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Coimbra usually receives more sunshine than Lyon during spring. Coimbra gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Coimbra usually receives more rain than Lyon. Coimbra gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilCoimbra 15°C (59°F)Lyon 11°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Lyon and Coimbra
| Coimbra | Lyon | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 11°C (51°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 55 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | 12°C (53°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Mar | 13°C (56°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (71°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (65°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (57°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Dec | 11°C (52°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.